Volume XIII, No. 3 February 2007 Everyday Ahimsa by Nischala Joy Devi II.35 Embracing reverence and love for all (Ahimsa) we experience oneness. —Patanjali Ahimsa gives brilliance to the Yamas. Sanctifying every moment of the day with reverence and love, the other four Yamas easily integrate into our lives. The practice of Ahimsa transports us to Golden Age (Sat Yuga) awareness, where the entire world of people, animals, plants and inanimate objects is our family and friends, and ultimately we are one. As babies, we see the world through pure hearts and open eyes. We live the purity of Ahimsa, experiencing oneness with everyone and everything. With the development of the mind’s ability to discriminate, differences emerge. We must then be constantly reminded that even though people and things appear to be different, in our essence we are all the same. Embracing the great virtue of Ahimsa brings the Ahimsa and Vegetarianism knowledge that each of us feels pain, joy, disappointment, love—the full spectrum of emotions. We develop an by Sri Swami Satchidananda empathy with others, and our individual experience becomes the experience of all. Many people are concerned about the violence in our society and about the threat that violence poses to the As we open our hearts, Ahimsa elegantly beams reverence very existence of our planet. Our meat diet is part of that and love to the many facets of our life. We accept the violence. We should think about such things and about importance of respecting all, even those who threaten or adopting a policy of ahimsa. harm us physically or emotionally. Yet, the part that many of us Continued on Page 14 Continued on Page 16 inside Purifying Spiritual Gold Yoga in Taiwan Guided Deep Relaxation Sri Swami Satchidananda ..................................Page 1 Swami Divyananda ............................................Page 5 Swami Divyananda .......................................... Page 12 The Fruits of Tapas Integral Yoga Updates ..........................Page 6 Avoiding Misery Rev. Jaganath Carrera .........................................Page 1 Continuing Education ...........................Page 7 Sri Swami Vivekananda ................................... Page 13 Zeal and Sincerity Face Challenges Head On Glory of the Self Page 15 Nischala Joy Devi ................................................Page 3 Hersha Chellaram ................................................Page 8 Sri Swami Sivananda ........................................ Free of Desires Asana: Mayurasana Speakers’ Schedules ........................... Page 18 Nalanie Chellaram ...............................................Page 4 Lakshmi Sutter ................................................... Page 10 Yogaville Calendar ............................... Page 19 IYTA Newsletter • February 2007 • Page 1 The Goal of Integral Yoga Integral Yoga® The goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of Teachers Association every individual is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the diversities in the entire creation Founder: Sri Swami Satchidananda and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family. The Integral Yoga Teachers Association is a membership association open to all Integral Yoga teachers. Its mission This goal is achieved by maintaining our natural is to provide mutual support and spiritual fellowship, to condition of a body of optimum health and strength, share information, to provide inspiration, and to conduct senses under total control, a mind well-disciplined, ongoing training and guidance. clear and calm, an intellect as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart full of unconditional Director: Lakshmi Sutter love and compassion, an ego as pure as a crystal, and a Continuing Ed. & Membership Coordinator: Marien Chodl life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy. Newsletter Editor: Rev. Prakash Shakti Graphic Design: Ananda Shiva Hervé Attain this through asanas, pranayama, chanting of Copy Editors: Vimala Cook, Lakshmi Sutter Holy Names, self discipline, selfless action, mantra japa, meditation, study and reflection. Integral Yoga Teachers Association Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, 108 Yogaville Way Buckingham, VA 23921 USA Ever yours in Yoga, Tel: 434.969.3121, ext. 197 Fax: 434.969.5545 E-mail (Newsletter): [email protected] E-mail (Membership): [email protected] E-mail (Director): [email protected] Website: www.iyta.org Letter From The Editor An act that brings harm to no one and benefit to someone lives, in our Yoga practice and in our teaching. I hope that is a perfect act,” Sri Gurudev often told us. And he we will hear from you, too. reminded us that “someone” could be yourself. It doesn’t have to be a huge, news-making act; it can be small, gentle Please let us know: Are you trying to use more “green” but meaningful. products and energy sources and materials in your teaching facility? What do you tell your students about This wonderful guideline helps in so many areas of our vegetarianism? Have you discovered any great resources lives. It’s certainly a good one to remember as we cultivate for cruelty-free products, foods, clothing? What inspires ahimsa. Ahimsa is often thought of as not causing harm—a you in regard to living a harm-free/fear-free life? What else worthy goal—but it is even more than that. Ahimsa is a way would you like to share? Let me know: [email protected] of thought, word, action. Ahimsa also means not causing fear and not being fearful. I look forward to hearing from you and to bringing you inspiration and lists of good resources in upcoming With this year’s Earth Day—an annual event that was dear to newsletters. Sri Gurudev’s heart—just past, ahimsa is even more in many minds. Many people are asking themselves: “Can I do more to make my footprint on this Earth a gentle one?” “Am I doing anything, without thinking, that can cause more harm Happy Spring! than good?” “What more can I do to be kind to Mother Earth and all her creatures?” Rev. Prakash Shakti In this issue of our newsletter we begin what I hope will be an ongoing dialogue about and resource for ahimsa in our IYTA Newsletter • February 2007 • Page 2 Yoga & Ayurveda Teacher Training by Sivani Marlene Alderman Ayurveda is the oldest health care system in the world and provides the mind-body typology for Yoga practice. In his book The Practice of Ayurveda Sri Swami Sivanandaji wrote “Ayurveda is a perfect science of life and consists of a body of most remarkable knowledge on human health and longevity. Ayurveda gives life which is the basis of all enjoyments, study, meditation and Yoga Sadhana.” Sri Gurudev also praised the benefits of Ayurveda: “Ayurvedic treatment is a type of rejuvenation. You feel happy and healthy. Who will not want to have that? You go there as an old person and come out as a young person. It’s a complete overhaul. Just like the car—you take the car for an overhaul and tune-up. Every area is touched upon: body, mind and spirit.” This summer Integral Yoga is introducing a new Yoga and Ayurveda Teacher Training Program for Yoga teachers and serious students who want to incorporate Ayurveda into their classes, private consultations and personal practice. The program will present a special “integrated Yoga and Ayurveda therapy,” showing how to use all eight limbs of classical Yoga for healing both body and mind. Completion of the program will certify each graduate as a Yoga and Ayurveda Health Educator. This Yoga and Ayurveda training will provide a special opportunity to study with Dr. David Frawley, one of the world’s foremost experts on Ayurveda, Yoga and the Vedic Sciences. Dr. Frawley has written thirty books and three sets The program will be offered in two separate parts. Part of course textbooks that have become the basis for training I on the Outer Practices will be held June 1 – 7, and programs offered worldwide. He is the Founder and Part II on the Inner Practices will be held November 14 Director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies (AIVS). – 18. Part I will emphasize the background of Yoga and Ayurveda and the outer aspects of Yoga, including asana, The program is based upon his books Yoga and Ayurveda, pranayama, pratyahara, and the healing of the physical and Yoga for Your Type as well as his Advanced Yoga and body. Part II will focus on the inner aspects of Yoga, Ayurveda training course. Betheyla Anuradha, a senior Yoga including concentration, mantra and meditation, and will teacher at the Ayurvedic Institute, will provide additional examine the healing of the mind and emotions—including training in the integration of Yoga and Ayurveda practices working with the chakras and nadis. during the program. Asana, pranayama, pratyahara, mantra and meditation Ayurveda provides a full system of yogic medicine in techniques will be presented and practiced according to an terms of diagnosis and treatment, preventative health and Ayurvedic understanding. The background philosophy and promotion of spiritual growth. Traditional Yoga therapy principles of yogic and Ayurvedic healing will be examined, was part of a Vedic approach to right living and optimal including Ayurvedic support practices of diet, herbs, Pancha wellbeing. This program shows students how Yoga therapy Karma and life-style modification. Participants will be taught fits in with this greater Vedic model. how to adapt Yoga practices relative to the individual constitution as defined by the doshas and gunas, as well as For anyone interested in Yoga therapy, this program according to environmental factors. provides a unique opportunity to expand both their skill and their knowledge The program differs from other Yoga and Please join us for this special program to learn how to Ayurveda trainings which are usually limited to asana only integrate Ayurveda into our Yoga classes, consultations and and do not address the full system of Yoga from life-style personal practices to benefit our students, our clients, and values to meditation. ourselves. IYTA Newsletter • February 2007 • Page 3 Exploring the 8 Limbs of Yoga by Swami Ramananda The goal of Yoga is to experience our full human potential, gives structure to the physical level.